‘Marry Me’ With Jennifer Lopez And Owen Wilson Gets (Almost) Everything Right

In Marry Me, Owen Wilson’s Charlie–a single father and public school math teacher–attends the concert of Jennifer Lopez’s Kat. Kat is supposed to be marrying fellow pop star Bastian during the concert, but she finds out he’s been cheating right as she’s raised onto the stage. Heartbroken, she picks Charlie out of the crowd as he holds a “Marry Me” sign. He agrees to marry her right then and there…but is it just going to be a publicity stunt? Or something more?

There has been a huge lack of romantic comedies in the last decade or two. I’d almost thought the genre was over–at least when it comes to theatrical releases. Then Marry Me came out this year, and it feels like a fresh entry that could reignite the genre. It’s (almost) perfect. Read on for everything Marry Me gets right, and the one thing it gets wrong.

The Press Conference is Iconic

When Charlie agrees to spend time with Kat, of course they have to have a press conference about it. They sit in front of a room of reporters and a bunch of cameras to answer questions about this whacky thing that just happened at her concert. A pop star and a normie?! And they don’t know each other?! This press conference is full of some gems.

Listen, what we did is crazy, we know that. But it was just truly a leap of faith. The rules as they exist pretty much suck for women. I mean why do we have to wait for men to propose? Why is everything on his terms?

Jennifer Lopez as Kat, Marry Me

The journalists ask some pretty shitty questions, but Kat and Charlie have epic answers.

No, I think it is time to shake things up. How about this: we pick the guy, we keep our name, and let him earn the right to stay.

Jennifer Lopez as Kat, Marry Me

This press conference happens early and really sets the tone for the movie. We’re told that this isn’t going to be just your typical trope-driven rom-com, and they’re right.

This Sex-Positive Moment is Everything

Marry Me is modern in all the best ways. There aren’t any weird gender roles. Charlie doesn’t seem at all intimated that Kat makes more money than him. Charlie’s relationship with his ex-wife is good. All stuff that we wouldn’t have seen in a ’90s romantic comedy. But there’s one throwaway line that you could blink and miss.

As Charlie and Kat are on a walk getting to know each other, Kat is explaining her past relationships and marriages. She mentions that she and an ex had a sex tape that was released. And…that was it. She doesn’t say it like it’s something shameful. Charlie doesn’t judge her. And it’s never brought up again. That’s the kind of sex-positive thing we’ve been missing all these years, and I’m here for it.

J-Lo and Owen Wilson’s Chemistry is Off-the-Charts

It might seem like a weird match-up at first glance, but Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson have the chemistry that is absolutely necessary for a romantic comedy. Best of all, they don’t have the chemistry at first. It’s a slow burn that culminates in them seeming so made for each other. Too bad Ben Affleck is in the picture again…

J-Lo Looks Amazing

This badass is 52 years old! And she looks magnificent. Marry Me has Jennifer Lopez wearing some killer outfits, including my favorite above. You can never have too many sparkles. Despite looking like a goddess, she also looks real. At one point she’s doing yoga and you see a bit of her belly hang over the waist band of her yoga pants. Because Jennifer Lopez has a regular human body like the rest of us.

The Soundtrack Slaps

There’s so much original music in this movie, and it’s all great. “Church” is a hilarious song full of innuendos with a great dance number. “Marry Me” will get stuck in your head. And then there’s “Love of My Life,” which she writes after her wedding gets ruined by her cheating popstar fiancé. “I am the love of, the love of my life.” Yes girl, you are your own love. You don’t need no man. (Unless he’s Owen Wilson. Then go for it.) I’ve never been much of a J-Lo music fan…until now.

BUT! Marry Me’s One Big Flaw…

Owen Wilson’s Charlie has a daughter named Lou, played by Chloe Coleman. She’s another great casting choice, but the problem is: We don’t see her enough. I don’t mean that I just wish she was in the movie more. But if Charlie and Kat are dating, there really needs to be more interaction with his daughter.

Charlie takes forever to introduce Lou to Kat. That’s customary when dating a single parent, but Lou was in the audience when Charlie got pulled up on stage and married Kat. And she’s a fan. It just feels weird that Lou really wasn’t included in much of anything in the first months of their relationship. Much later, after Kat meets Lou, Kat doesn’t even invite her to her dad’s surprise night a Coney Island. A literal carnival, and the kid isn’t invited. It’s almost as if the movie forgets that Charlie is a dad.

That’s my one complaint, and the one part of the movie that feels a little unrealistic. If you’re including someone new in your life, you introduce that important person to your daughter. Hello? Other than that, Marry Me is a must-watch. Catch it in theaters now or on Peacock Premium.